lozbass

That is absolutely lovely! It's unusual to see a full facing on a SC Deluxe - a gorgeous piece of cocobolo it is too. The electronics look a little unusual - are they anniversary rather than the usual 'signature'? Also, the laminates/pinstripes look unusual - is it cocobolo/ebony/purpleheart/maple etc? On the knobs, I hadn't really thought about it - they aren't the most elegant I suppose, but they work very nicely - good ergonomics and you can see what you're up to.

I agree on reinstatement of the Original as a standard design (elegant and comfortable body shape in my view) - I suspect Chris et al have had a look at demand and decided it's just not feasible. I didn't know about the 30th Anniversary - it will be interesting to see if anything materialises. On the 36" scale - wow! - the 35" was far too long for me (but I do play short-scale much of the time). The 35" sounded great however, real clarity and focus across the board without really high string tension

[quote name='BigRedX' post='766699' date='Mar 7 2010, 09:39 AM']Overwater should re-issue the "Original" shape as a standard option and be done with it. CK, the control layout on that Fodera, looks really weird... hopefully it makes more sense from the playing position, but front on it just looks ugly.[/quote] As far as I know, Overwater offer the 'Original' shape as an option (or did so up to around 5-6 years ago?) - I had a 're-issue' briefly a couple of years back and I think another had been built for the Cult (?). A beautiful bass that can be seen in Tayste2000's ads for his 14u rack case in the 'Other...' classifieds on BC. The problem for me was the 35" scale. On the Fodera, I had an Imperial MG5 up until last year - the control layout doesn't look massively attractive but feels very intuitive in use (IMO). That said, the passive sound was so phenonenally good, I didn't do a lot of tweaking most of the time. Same problem, the neck dimension didn't suit (very wide board) I think this just about stays 'on topic'

Whooaahh...absolutely lovely trio - I'm a massive fan of '59 burst!

Rapidly, they're all Fender 'student' models. The Mustang has been around since the mid '60s - a very nice bass (the Competition models were very cool). Easy to play with a decent sound - not far off a P thump. Musicmaster - less elaborate bridge and a guitar pickup. Followed the Mustang's introduction (I think) but I'm not sure when. Not a versatile instrument IME but some decent, surprisingly full and fat tones. Easy to play but some really dodgy ones from the mid to late '70s (I played some really bad examples - this doesn't mean they're all poor though). The Bronco was introduced in the very early '80s (I think - maybe late '70s) Similar body shape to the Mustangs and Musicmasters but with a Tele shaped neck. Be careful - some Broncos had a 34" scale. There was a beautiful example sold on ebay in the US last week - lovely sunburst and one of the most beautifully figured birds-eye maple necks I've seen

Gorgeous! Ahh...the joys of a shorter scale...

Do you have a tool that would allow you to cut a slot in what remains of the screw-head? If you can make a slot, you should be able to get the screw out fairly painlessly (it's a trick I've seen my joiner friends pull-off). I think I'd be tempted to try to remove the screw and start again. An alternative as you say is to fit another washer (maybe a split washer or felt washer that you can split yourself to get over the screw?)

I've had quite a few and have been impressed with all (various configurations/types but all KA rather than WD). Prices are decent too. A good alternative - and another custom wind option - is Wizard

+1 - I was playing my old Columbus (bought new in '76!) last week - the bass in the pictures looks close (especially the nut) but the inlays on my bass aren't as figured or elaborate. Could it be a CMI or Kasuga (some nice basses from around the period)?

+1 - I want that bass very badly

[quote name='NJE' post='759680' date='Feb 28 2010, 11:58 AM']So, not that I needed much convincing that a Sei Jazz is my ideal dream bass after reading through this thread, but two things have made my GAS worse recently. The first was the article in Bass Guitar Magazine which I think I read about 5 times and the second was me mooching around on the Gallery and Sei websites earlier where I saw two stunning examples of their work. I hope nobody minds me posting these, neither are mine unfortunately but I had to share, I could look at these things for hours. I just need to sell some gear to buy one for myself now. [/quote] Incredible - I haven't seen either of these before - 'just confirms what I've said in previous posts with respect to Martin's work

[quote name='Beedster' post='757128' date='Feb 25 2010, 02:45 PM']mono and lo-fi as hell through my Ampeg. That's why I kept the Ampeg and sold the Phil Jones! C[/quote] Hahaha - I like the cut of your jib!

Wow - that looks absolutely gorgeous!

I'd have thought EMGs might do the trick. An alternative would be Kent Armstrong (he winds for Celinder - Ps and Js). I have a Nordstrand in mine with an Agi OBP1. It can be fairly hi-fi but has a good solid P tone in there too (maybe a bit more zingy than most Ps but surprisingly versatile)

Hi Owen, haha - sadly, I'm not on first name terms with Mr Brown! You could well be right and he is a builder as well as a re-fin expert, it's just that I've only ever encountered his name in connection with sprays and vintage restoration (his reputation is enormous!) I've not really tried too hard with respect to contact - I think I know a way of getting hold of CB and can PM if you're eager. I know what you mean - being relaxed about the bass and the environment in which you're playing is important (I've never really perceived bass-playing as a contact sport but the concerns are ever-present). I've seen a few Allevas come up over on Talkbass recently that might fit the bill. I think many of Jimmy's customers (I can claim first name terms here - woohoo!) are busy pro players so some of the second user ACs show signs of having been to work. I can also claim with some confidence that these basses sound and feel 'old' and played-in. Good luck with the search!